Instruo Lion (matrix mixer) // Pin style patching in Eurorack with inserts, sum, attenuation + more

[@DivKid]

I'll be going live with Instruo THIS SUNDAY (the 27th of September) at 8pm UK BST here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqiynmeDeJuGmKM - come and ask your questions, talk new modules (there's also Tain just released) and we'll also check out their new studio and work space. The link will tell you the live start time in your region.

[@sethsmith927]

Not wanting to dedicate a module to encoding and decoding mid/side. Could anyone explain if there's an algorithm on the disting that would invert the signal to achieve this mono to stereo trick? Perhaps one of those first algorithms that I've always overlooked. Thanks.

[@PatrickOBrien]

Such a different approach to mixing. I've watched this several times now, and I can see how it could be used in every patch. Attenuating each note differently in the chord was the game changer for me

[@index7787]

That Mid/Side audio sorcery, blew my mind. first I've heard of it, so clever. Been fiddling around with my mono effects for the first time since i "upgraded" to stereo.

[@TheAdamMalcolm]

Oh my Lordy, I completely overlooked lion, this thing is crazy!

[@DivKid]

Yeah it's a nice to patch in some sources and play around with re routing a patch without actually re routing the patch.

[@Nokanmusic]

This is probably my most importantly module. I usually use it for mixing and audio routing. But a cool and useful patch I often use is to taking a gate input and using a split cable to send a gate and return an audio source for two extra audio inputs.🌳

[@mike.thomas]

A little late here, but now considering this module. Ben my man, you usually nurse us along for a minute or so, but you jumped right in with this one! I kept checking to see if I didn’t miss a gentler introduction 🤔. I guess I’ll make better sense of it once it’s here 😅 and replaces (hopefully for good) my last entry in an expensive chain of failed matrix mixer/router experiments. I so miss my 210e/CSR from Buchla-land!

[@SorchaSublime]

i imagine that you could use the Landscape allflesh conductive patch "cables" to create a really tactile control method for modulation

[@RobinRimbaudScanner]

Superb video Ben with some very practical examples to share with us, from very rhythmic to more exploratory! Thank you!!

[@_P3_]

Absolutely simple but yet elegant module, and, as always, presented in a masterful way. Added to the wish list. Thanks!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Looks cool and I need a good matrix mixer in my setup as well as more logic modules and switches. Utility support modules don't get the love they need but are vital for good patch variety.

[@jsogman]

The graphics you are doing, for example at 7:07. Magnifique!

[@DivKid]

thanks, trying to get as much of that in as possible to the videos. Anything to aid the patches and show what's going on.

[@jsogman]

@@DivKid Especially for newcomers and for modules like this which Already carry potential for complexity, it's perfect, great work as always!!

[@DivKid]

thanks

[@SONICrider]

A "must" have - thanks for the clear tutorial \0/ Take care!!

[@DivKid]

thanks Jurgen, happy to be able to make demos like this for a great scene and the good people that design and make this stuff.

[@odecahedron42]

echoes of the Hordijk matrix mixer in this one, good stuff

[@omniformer]

exactly! only i'm not sure the Hordjik matrix has the gain staging from left to right

[@odecahedron42]

@@omniformer yea it does not sadly, had the hordijk in my old 5u, now im 100% euro might have to look into this one

[@LittleFoilFish]

Awesome! This is like the mtx8 eurorack version

[@theanalogkidmodular]

Would be cool to get some pre-made inline attenuators (like the KOMA one), already hooked up to that TRS jack. Also this would pair well with some dense VCA modules like the Octal VCA from Doepfer (8 VCAs in 6HP) to add some CV to the mixing using the send/return loops. Very cool module, definitely plan to get one once I make a bigger system!

[@nuddmusic8522]

that mid side patch is so cool

[@MartinDoudoroffLLC]

Neato! Seems like a module that takes a couple hours to sink in, but once you’re using it, becomes second nature. This is an adaptation of a Hordijk design, yes?

[@EntonDelMonte]

Yes I also had to think about Hordijk‘s design. Has he been credited?

[@resonant_space]

Nicely done video--appreciate the x-y eye candy on the Data, and the snippets of nice sounds. Love the EMS/Hordijk-inspired design with inserts for nodes instead of the usual pots on most of the euro matrix mixers. It opens up some nice possibilities for node processing. The Hordijk system has a companion node processor with a range of handy functions that accepts trs cables--would be nice to have something similar for the Lion. Excited to get this, I think a matrix mixer is a good core module for any system.

[@gregcoles9175]

this looks awesome! Nice work Ben!

[@Ycros]

It seems like it'd be cool to have buttons or switches mounted on top of a trs plug for this

[@DMT353]

100%. Like the WMD Sequential Switch Matrix. That would’ve been way more fun and easier to use.

[@nickweathers1917]

@@DMT353 Not sure the SSM works well with audio. Also, only 4x4. Get both! One for CV, one for audio.

[@immersiveworlds]

Wow, this module is a keeper!

[@noxfubar]

I'm just wondering if @ 03:28 you are going to 2 different reverb modules or if just one how are you patching? Thanks for the video.

[@DivKid]

Hello, that's one reverb. By the sound of it the internal 'digital brick' on the Music Thing Modular Spring mk2. It's a digital emulation of a spring but it's more of a reflective room sound, a nice splash of space for a patch I find. The insert cable is taking the sound (mono) to the reverb and bring it back in again. Hope that's helpful, follow up/reply if not and I'll figure it out with you.

[@noxfubar]

@@DivKid thanks divkid. I guess I'm blind to the fundamentals of it. I mean you have 2 pigtails coming out and the MTM Spring Reverb has just one output. Is it summed or mixed/stacked somehow?

[@DivKid]

ah ok so the jacks on the Lion patch bay are TRS meaning they have tip ring and sleeve. Normal unbalanced mono cables (typical patch cables) are tip and sleeve. Which carry ground and the signal. TRS can be stereo (two separate signals for left and right) and ground, or balanced with one mono signal. Instruo are using the TRS like you would find on an analogue mixing desk where you have inserts. An insert on a mixer channel would be a single socket but it would SEND and RETURN signal. That's what's happening here. So it sends my signal out of Lion to the input of the MTM Reverb and then I take the output of the MTM Reverb and return that back into Lion.

[@Theemilz]

Very useful, thanks

[@DivKid]

cheers

[@calder-d]

This reminds me: what ever happened to the Arbhar review?

[@BrunoWiebelt]

this seems to be very versatile, kind of things that could be a building block for en analog computer

[@_erikhanson]

Such a great video on a module I never thought I’d be interested in! Separately, what voices are you using in the 6 voice chord cluster patch? Sounds incredible

[@DivKid]

Listening back that sounds like 6 individual triangle waves that I've just tuned by ear. So 6 separate oscillators. Can't be certain what they are (not too important here) but there's then also some drive from the rest of the patch downstream, a nice VCA overloading by the sounds of it. Sorry I can't be specific I've no notes to go from but I hope that's helpful.

[@_erikhanson]

@@DivKid absolutely helpful! Thanks!

[@BubbaSatori]

Leon? Surely they’re not serious. ;^) Thanks for the demo.

[@OctavianTech]

Do you know of any good video explanations (KZbin or elsewhere) of Mid/Side encoding? Both stand-alone and in context versus stereo & mono processing?

[@DivKid]

in what sense? The technicalities or potential use cases? Are the graphics in the video helpful?

[@OctavianTech]

DivKidVideo the technicalities, like an explainer on what mid/side processing is and why you’d use it

[@DivKid]

Mid side takes a left and right stereo image and breaks it into the parts of the audio that's in the mono signal (in both left and right) and a signal that's just what is present on the side signals (the unique stereo information). To get mid side you take left and right, I'll abbreviate to M S L R. The mid signal is equal to the L+R. So simply mixing those at unity (equal) level. The side signal is equal to the L-R. So inverter (phase flip) the right signal and then mix at even level with the left. This gives you two mono signals, the mid and the side. You might want to say compress your mid signal with a great characterful mono compressor you have but keep the stereo side information more dynamic. If you have a lovely mono spring reverb you could make that stereo in effect by putting the side signal (which again is mono) through the spring reverb and bring that back into decode the mid side back into stereo. I highly suggest watching my LRMSMSLR demo which a great module from WORNG Electronics (I'll link that below). Once you have your processed mid and side signals you bring those back to a left and right stereo by the follow. M+S = L. So mid + side equals left signal M-S = R. So mid - side (again phase invert for the -) equals the right. A simple reason to use MS processing is making the S signal louder to widen the stereo image. Hope all that helps. LRMSMSLR - kzbin.info/www/bejne/horNXoqBbMh6oNU

[@OctavianTech]

@@DivKid very helpful thank you! i've saved that for future study

[@denistercier]

Yeap! Once I'll plan a big system... This allready seems to be a must have!

[@johnnymidnight2982]

Torn between this or the FSS Matrix (the module, not desktop), but I can't find much information on the latter. The FSS is 9x9 and buffered, but has a banana pin matrix instead of dedicated jacks. So... I wonder if this has more connectivity. Just wish I could find a demo or tutorial on the FSS (or even an online manual) so I could compare.

[@DivKid]

HI Johnny, watch the MTX8 content you can find as they're very similar (the MTX9 eurorack). The Euro version can be passive or active (buffered). As you say it's 9x9 so 3 more i&o but doesn't have the TRS for send/return patching in the patchbay itself.

[@johnnymidnight2982]

@@DivKid I've decided to buy two Lions. That should handle everything nicely.

[@kellymerrill5294]

NLC Clump is my preferred matrix mixer, having to make an extra connection would make things messy.

[@lykkewass2291]

Super clever module !

[@rentarash]

Anyone know what kick and hi hat were used in the video

[@hyprballads]

Great module and interesting idea! Is it completley passive?

[@DivKid]

no it's not passive a design.

[@tanksmoonchild]

Surprising how much you can get out of this module.

[@blaythessteuer]

hmm... trying to imagine this with a fixed filter bank and an xpan or something like that... could be the ultimate drone/ambience/chaos machine :o

[@DivKid]

there's definitely room for a more advanced video of patch ideas. Things like taking different filter band outs and routing to different FX, blending FX returns to different parts of a mix etc.

[@outlier5844]

@@DivKid Hi level tweaking maestro

[@jonaseggen2230]

Great memes to : ) What is it with Scotland and music? I used to listen to several scottish bands in the 80s and last week I learned that Boards of Canada are from Scotland to. What the h?

[@CWealthMusic]

Instruo is based in Scotland.... That's where all the magic happens.

[@jonaseggen2230]

@@CWealthMusic I know, that's why I mentioned it, mate : )

[@MChristian]

Mmmmmmm. Mogwai.

[@JHJLIM]

It’s the weather! When there’s no reason to go outside, there’s more reason to stay in the studio or design modules 😬

[@jonaseggen2230]

@@JHJLIM Also in the 80's it was so much crime in Glasgow that people prefer to study or practise. It's interesting that the best art schools are in dumps where there is little else to do. How come there is no good music from Bergen, they basically has the same weather as in Scotland? To much money?

[@nickjones5641]

Just in time! I have been looking for a solution to send drums, synth voices, etc out to fx and back in. Can this be done in stereo? Say 3 pairs of L/R ins sum them at the master LR and mult those out to fx or use the send and return cables and bring them in on a separate stereo mixer like the Befaco StMix? I’m wondering if I can sell a few modules and use this as an fx bus. Thanks!

[@CWealthMusic]

My wallet can't take much more abuse! I love my Instruo modules.

[@JapanoiseBreakfast]

I'm so fucking tired of all the consumerist memes in this community jfc

[@No.0.o.0]

God damnit.

[@VinceGallop]

always love matrix mixer! is it possible to use this kind of jack for the pin? www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133720

[@DivKid]

those are 1/4" jacks so they probably have a lot more room to house a jack elegantly. Not seen anything for 3.5mm jacks like that.

[@carlehuston]

who would of thunk it - can give new life so seldom used modules

[@BarnacleButtock]

How do you do so many back to back demos of similar or competing products? Surely you must have some preference or pick of the litter for certain types of module..